[Episode 17]
We’ll be writing down the dance steps starting today.
Is everyone ready?
If your dance isn’t good enough,
it won’t make it into the records.
And you’ll never be able to perform it in the palace.
Shall we begin?
How many times has it been?
How much longer will you be standing like that in a daze?
Myeongwol, you wench!
I thought you had gotten control of yourself,
but I guess I was wrong.
Is it because of love?
Have you lost yourself because of your unfinished love affair?
Where are you going?
Stop right there!
What is your reason?
Why have you stopped dancing, and left the training grounds?
I don’t want to dance right now.
No, I can’t dance right now.
How could you give up already?
You must start practicing again right now.
I don’t want to.
You do remember how a gisaeng who leaves the training grounds will be dealt with?
Are you going to flog me?
That’s not right.
If your legs were to be injured, you would no longer be able to dance.
What about locking me up in a cell?
I can’t have you resting peacefully like that.
Keumchoon,
take Myeongwol and tie her up.
Make her perform the dance moves.
And punish her if she doesn’t.
Yes, ma’am.
Stop being so stubborn.
All you need to do is perform a single dance move.
I can’t dance.
I told you I don’t want to dance right now.
You won’t live a long life at this rate.
What a stubborn girl.
She’s so bitter.
How could she withstand 4 days without a single drop of water?
That stubborn girl.
Why don’t you let her loose and tell her to do as she wishes.
What are you talking about?
Go and punish her right now!
Her legs will get broken at this rate.
Legs don’t break because of a beating.
I can’t.
Look here.
I think I’m going to die even before her legs break.
Are you feeling better?
Get up, and drink some of this.
The accompanist went to great lengths to get this for you.
You should drink it, considering his dedication.
Eat up.
Just gobble it up. Hurry.
What is it?
What else?
It’s the cure for all, black ginseng.
I’m sure you’re out of energy with the baby and all.
So drink this, and regain your strength.
What are you doing? Hurry up, and drink it.
I saved some for you, when I was told to give it to Myeongwol.
So drink it before other people see it.
It’s only things like this that I can afford to do for you.
I’m not really good for anything else.
Sir.
Hey, Sangsu!
Yes, father? Yes...
You wench!
How dare you call your husband’s first name?
Is there a reason for me not to?
It’s not being polite to your elders.
It depends on who the elder is, sir.
If it were up to me, I would punish you.
Punish me?
Even gisaengs are prone to punishment if they do not practice.
It’s only right for you to be punished if you do not study.
Sir, how long will you be wasting your time like this?
You play with me when you’re awake, and when I’m gone you go to sleep.
Will I ever be able to see you in a government official’s uniform before I die?
Why not?
Are you going to steal someone else’s uniform?
Steal?
The state examination isn’t the only way to become a civil servant.
There are other methods, too.
Other methods?
Yes.
The prime minister is a close relative of mine.
He has promised to take care of me.
Is that true?
Of course, it’s true. Just wait a bit.
If I take office, I’ll give up all of my salary to you.
What’s wrong with you?
Why are you being so stubborn?
I thought you wanted to dance.
I thought you wanted to dance so much that you were willing to give in to Baekmu.
Is this because of the Minister of Rites?
Was it hard on you to have to send him away?
Is that it?
It’s nothing like that.
I’m telling you it’s not.
Did you say you’re going to lessen the size of the festival?
That’s right.
But the festival...
It’s a festival commemorating the 20th anniversary of the king’s reign.
You know it very well.
So how could you say such things?
The festival should be carried out in a lavish fashion.
That’s the only way for the royal family to save face.
The authority of the royal family isn’t about fancy parties.
What?
Your highness, please cut the budget for the festival and use it for the people.
That’s not possible.
We should actually have the people present the king with gifts.
The nation has many sick and starving people who are filling up in the clinics.
Look here, minister.
Do you think that everything is my fault, because I’ve been without luck?
Yes, your highness.
What?
How could you utter such disloyal words in front of the king?
Do you think you’ll be able to get out of this alive?
How long will you be covering the skies with your hand?
I don’t think one would be considered a faithful subject to be full of flattery.
Look here, minister!
Your highness, please punish your servants.
You want to be punished?
The biggest reason for having lost virtue is because of your incompetent subjects.
How could we be called your royal subjects?
Please, punish us.
You must not forget the fact that you must be a wise king.
Please, listen to my harsh words.
A wise king doesn’t mean that you must be perfect and without mistakes.
Actually, if you try your best by acknowledging your misgivings,
the future generations will regard you as a wise king.
You’re right.
Your highness.
You’re right when you say that the authority of the royal family isn’t about fancy parties.
Your highness.
I’m going to share the pain with the people and be a role model.
Then the people will have faith in the royal family.
I believe that a royal family based on trust will be stronger than any built on power.
That’s what I believe.
It’s been awhile.
What are you doing here?
Have a seat.
I had business to attend to at the music department,
and I wanted to come.
I had many reasons to come.
How was everything in Song-do?
Did you complete your project well?
Yes, to a degree.
Those who meet must part.
That’s how the world goes around.
It’s what Myeongwol tried to teach me.
I hope you taught her well.
Look here.
No.
Actually, it’s the other way around.
Those who part will meet again.
I guess that’s what you’re counting on.
I’m in the middle of work.
Did you give her a token of your love?
Will you be seeing her again?
I won’t be seeing Myeongwol ever again.
Oh, oh. You disappoint me.
I gave up Myeongwol for you when I heard that you had feelings for her.
Why weren’t you able to capture her heart?
What do you mean you want me to try to capture the heart of the minister?
I heard Mr. Byeok at the ball today.
He was joking that the minister is heartbroken.
The minister is heartbroken?
Why?
Why else?
It’s because he can’t get his hands on Myeongwol.
I guess it’s not possible for the minister to capture Myeongwol’s heart, either.
In any case, the people at the ball were all very rowdy.
Everyone seemed to want to take a stab at Myeongwol.
Why aren’t you listening to what I’m saying?
Why don’t you send the minister a letter?
Love is the best medicine for a broken heart.
If all goes well...
No, I don’t want to.
I won’t.
Have you changed your mind about him?
I thought you couldn’t live without him.
Have your feelings cooled off already?
No, it’s not that.
I don’t think I will ever meet another guy that I would love more.
So?
Maybe that’s why I’ve lost my cool.
Men are bound to get further away from women who make the first move.
And I had forgotten all about this fact.
I’ll be concentrating on the drum dance for the time being.
I want to be recognized by the minister as the finest dancer in Joseon first.
And while I’m spending my time dancing,
the minister’s loneliness will deepen.
Don’t you think it’ll provide me with another opportunity to start again?
Have you looked into it?
There are a few projects going on in Namyang.
But they’re all very small and there is no trace of any large deposits.
I was told that there was a large deposit of minerals there.
Increase the men two-fold and work even harder.
I don’t care how much money it takes.
We’ve spent so much money on it already.
Sir,
I don’t know why you’re spending your own money on this government project.
That’s none of your concern.
I need to please the king.
That’s the only way to have Myeongwol on the tip of my hands.
Would you like to recite poetry with me?
Recite poetry?
We can play with the words or the meanings.
I came riding in a single horse to Kaesong.
The scenery hasn’t changed, but the great men have disappeared.
Oh, it’s the dream of the peaceful Koryo Dynasty.
The mountains are the same, but the water is different.
The water flows night and day, so it cannot be the same.
People are like water.
They come and go.
Myeongwol is gone?
What do you mean?
I thought she would recovered by now,
and I went to tell her not to be too stubborn.
But she had taken her clothes and had run off.
What?
What are we going to do?
We don’t have much time left until we must finish the dance records.
Find her.
I don’t care if that means searching all over the nation if you have to.
She ran off in the evening?
With Moomyeong?
That’s what I said.
Where am I going to find them?
I don’t know.
Where else? Look for them in the city.
Don’t you think the minister and Myeongwol had something going on?
I’m sure she went looking for the minister.
My lady and the minister aren’t involved like that.
- Are you sure? - Yes, that’s right.
If that’s true...
Do you think she’s fallen in love with Moomyeong already?
And that’s why they’ve run off together?
No way.
Moomyeong was willing to be Myeongwol’s sponsor.
Her training wasn’t going well, and she was only getting into trouble.
And with a man by her side, it would be stupid not to fall in love.
Stop it! Stop it, you girls!
You don’t know what you’re talking about.
I’m the fool for trying to talk to you about Myeongwol.
Deokpal, tell all the workers to look all over Song-do like crazy.
If you still can’t find her, ask the elder to have you work with his men.
Yes, ma’am.
Get rid of the nest.
I want to observe how the mother bird reacts.
I’ll be at the place where the bird food is.
I think the dance is refined now.
I think we’re all set to practice hard.
Booyong, you played a big part.
I only did what was necessary.
Baekmu thinks we’re ready to have it colored.
How long has it been since your wife died?
Has it been 3 years?
I guess you haven’t held a woman in a long time.
Could I ask you for a favor?
I’ll take on the role of your wife for the time being.
Can you draw up a note that I ask you to?
Why haven’t you been able to find Myeongwol yet?
How many days have passed already?
The thing is...
What about the men that went to find her?
I haven’t heard from them yet.
Ma’am. Ma’am!
What is it?
I found her.
I found where Myeongwol is.
What are you doing here?
Come back home right now!
Don’t you know what I’m doing here?
Don’t you feel anything by looking at that?
Tell me what you think.
I don’t have time to chat with you here.
I don’t think you realize what you’ve done yet.
What?
Throw the useless notes into the fire.
If you’re not confident, just admit it.
You should tell me the truth, if the dance routine is too difficult.
Yes, you’re right.
The dance steps are very difficult.
It’s extremely difficult.
Now you’re telling me the truth.
What’s the reason?
Why does the dance routine only include the most difficult moves?
Don’t you know already?
I’ve taught you dance for the longest time.
Do I have to teach you the basic steps again?
I think you’re the one who needs to learn the basic steps again.
What?
This is a piece of garbage that’s full of self-conceit.
I’ve poured my sweat and blood into making this the most beautiful dance in the world.
Do you know what you’re saying? It’s too difficult to perform.
Shall we see who can actually dance it?
Myeongwol.
You’ve been infatuated for such a long time, you’ve lost the essentials.
You have only the dancer who wants to looks as beautiful as the crane.
It doesn’t include the heart of the crane or the desire of a human to become a crane.
That makes no sense. Stop talking nonsense.
Nonsense, you say?
You move elegantly and come down softly.
A crane’s movements are all about grace.
But are they always graceful?
You must think of how the crane looks.
I’ve seen all I’ve wanted to see.
So?
It’s insecure.
A crane may have witnessed an eagle trying to take away its young ones.
It lands on the ground as if landing in a fire.
With great fear.
It flies quickly into the air.
It does everything to flap its wings.
But the eyes of the crane are still calm.
Why?
Because its awe of the birth of its baby isn’t too different from what humans think.
A dance isn’t just about moving your body.
It’s wrong to think that a dancer must be smiling like a flower.
A dancer must have an expression that suits the ambience of the dance.
And all this in harmony will create a real dance.
Keep this in mind.
The virtue of an artist is not about performing difficult techniques and being arrogant.
Don’t depend on your techniques.
One must sing from one’s heart.
Dancing is composing poetry with one’s body. The spirit must be incorporated in the dance.
Stop!
Is it hard for you to take?
I bet so.
You’re the one that has taught me all these things.
The dance records that you’ve treasured...
I’m sure you realize that they are useless.
Your dance is all about difficult techniques, and it has no soul at all.
That’s the reality of your dance records.
So burn it up right now.
And forget about ever performing the crane dance in the palace.
Ma’am!
Ma’am.
I must find the spirit.
It’s inside me somewhere.
It’s not just about technique.
The dance isn’t merely about having a series of difficult dance moves.
I didn’t spend 30 years of my life just for that.
What’s wrong? What’s wrong with you?
This dance is the only one existing in all of Joseon.
It’s something that my teacher and I spent all our lives making.
It’s a magnificent dance that only I can perform.
I can’t forgive her for denying it.
I just can’t!
Ma’am!
It’s a dance I’ve sought to complete my entire 30 years as a dancer.
And I won’t let it be unjustly negated like this.
I’m sure there are flaws.
Nothing is perfect in life.
I must find the flaws without fail.
And I must finish the dance with my own hands.
I must complete it.
Am I unable to dance like I used to?
I’m not talking about new techniques.
I can’t dance like I used to.
It’s been too long.
Were you waiting for me?
I’m sorry.
I’m sure you know why I’m sorry.
Just as much as I loved you…
Actually, I have given someone else more love than I gave to you.
Don’t forgive me.
You were right.
What you said was right.
My dance was with fault.
I’m going to start from the beginning.
I’m going to dance a true crane dance.
I must complete it.
Fine.
I need you.
I need to know the dance steps that you performed.
Let’s start from there.
You and I can work on it together.
What if I’m not willing?
Jini...
Myeongwol.
Don’t call my name.
I don’t want to be called Jini by you ever again.
What do you want me to do?
How can I change your mind to come dance with me?
Why don’t you beg on your knees?
Not to me,
but to the person who died.
Get on your knees in front of the person that has left.
And beg with tears coming out of your eyes like water from a waterfall.
Beg for forgiveness, because you have committed a great sin.
You can’t do it, can you?
Then I have no other choice.
You don’t consider death to be an important matter.
Compared to your haughty talents, nothing can compare in importance.
Am I wrong?
I’ve won.
I guess I’ve won over the very arrogant head of the troupe.
Are you satisfied?
I’m sorry to say this.
But I’m not satisfied.
I don’t want to perform the crane dance.
I hate that obsession you have.
It scares me and drives me mad.
You’ve discovered a large deposit of pumice stones?
The instrument you just saw was made of pumice stone.
Your highness, that’s not all Mr. Byeok has done.
He has brought in important scores from China.
He used his own money to buy instruments for government offices.
How grateful I am.
How would you like me to award you?
Award me?
That’s not necessary, your highness.
No, that’s not right.
Tell me what you want.
I can give you anything you want.
Tell me what you want without being concerned.
I do have a request, actually.
So tell me what it is.
I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you get it.
I want to have a gisaeng at my side.
A gisaeng?
You want a gisaeng as a mistress?
I know that my request is too extreme.
I withdraw my request, your highness.
No, that’s not necessary.
A king must not change his words in front of his subjects.
I promised that I would do everything in my power.
So who is this gisaeng that you would like to be with?
Her name is Myeongwol from the troupe of Song-do.
What is it you want from me?
Let Myeongwol go.
Are you mad that I’ll be having the flower that you never got to have?
Stop bothering her.
She’ll become a concubine to a member of the royal family.
And the king has given his approval.
Isn’t that the best thing that could happen to a gisaeng?
She’s an artist with great talent.
If she becomes your concubine, her talents would be of no use.
It goes against the development of Joseon’s arts.
Stop.
Look here.
Didn’t you tell me in the past that you’d never see Myeongwol again?
Didn’t you?
So why are you so interested in a girl that you are never to see again?
Look here.
Don’t be concerned whether Myeongwol becomes a gisaeng or a concubine.
If not, the only conclusion that I can come to is that you still have feelings for her.
And that’s why you’re coming in between Myeongwol and myself.
A festival, you say?
In honor of Mr. Byeok’s new concubine?
It’s an order.
It’s to be a very cordial event.
If Myeongwol is to be a concubine,
what will happen to the crane dance?
Sir!
Forget it.
He says it’s an order.
Hey!
What’s all the fuss about? You’ll break down the door.
Myeongwol is to become Mr. Byeok’s concubine.
What?
Hey, Danshim. What’s going on?
Why is Myeongwol to be his concubine when you’re the one with his baby.
Don’t tell me that you’re lying.
Are you sure that your baby’s father is Mr. Byeok?
I don’t think anyone could be as rude as you.
Don’t cry.
Don’t you know?
Even though you really liked him,
he never gave you a single glance to begin with, you fool.
Why is Myeongwol so late?
I’m sure she’s getting all dressed up.
It’s her wedding day, today.
Isn’t that right?
What are you doing?
What are you going to do with that?
Are you going to hang yourself?
- Yes, sir. - You wench!
I’d rather commit suicide than marry someone I don’t want to.
I knew it.
I knew you’d never agree to being my concubine.
Do you hate it that much?
Fine.
I’ll tell you a way out of this.
The guests today are very important figures from the palace.
If you win a game of poetry, I’ll stop this wedding.
Do I have to compete with them all at once?
Are you not confident?
Of course, not.
I believe it’s going to be too easy because there are not many people.
You can participate as well.
If I lose, I’ll become your concubine without fail.
What if we lose?
Take off your clothes.
You want to play a stripping game?
Yes, sir.
It would be no fun if only we took off our clothes.
If Mr. Byeok allows it, I’ll take mine off as well.
There are at least 10 men you have to deal with.
I know.
Do you wish to become naked in broad daylight?
I guess I’ll have no other choice if I lose.
What do you say? Do you want to try it?
Just become my concubine.
You’ll never be able to beat 10 people with a single poem.
I think we’ll just have to see about that.
What are you doing?
Continue writing, or take off your shirt.
Did you have fun?
You should’ve gone easy on him.
Why are you putting the men in such an uncomfortable position?
Sir, why don’t you challenge her again next time?
Just regard today as a fun picnic with the Song-do troupe.
Please, put your clothes back on.
I’ll have our dancers perform a beautiful dance.
Please, don’t be too mad.
I’m sure you aren’t upset over such trifle matters.
Stop!
The dance isn’t worth much.
Sir, are you still mad?
You rude wench.
When did I say I was mad?
I said, I didn’t think the dancers were any good.
We’re doing the best we can.
And the dance isn’t finished yet.
I told you to stop it!
Stop it, and come here.
Pour me some wine. That’s what you’re good for.
Sir.
What’s in a dance and music?
It’s just a way for girls to capture the hearts of men.
I said that I’d be willing to play along.
Myeongwol, go inside.
Can’t you see that Mr. Byeok is upset because of you?
Please be calm, sir.
Please keep your dignity.
Be quiet.
What are you doing?
Why are you standing there like statues?
Are you going to be rude just like your troupe leader?
Sir, the dance isn’t finished yet.
We can pour you drinks later.
I told you that’s not necessary!
Just sit down anywhere.
No.
I think it’d be better if you went away.
I don’t think that anyone would want your company.
Get up.
Ma’am.
I told you to get up.
Ma’am.
How dare you.
Go away right now.
You aren’t mere prostitutes. So get up now.
What are you doing Chilseong?
Take her away right now!
A professional dancer must finish her dance.
That’s what being a dancer is all about.
Forget it.
This is enough.
Have the girls dance again.
After the dance, we’ll pour you your drinks.
I said that I don’t need your dance!
What are you doing?
Hey, wrench!
Just because we are of a lower class doesn’t mean that our dance is vulgar.
I told you that the dance isn’t finished.